Simon Cowell denies X Factor is fixed and says the show is NOT in crisis

Simon Cowell denies X Factor is fixed and says the show is NOT in crisis

NO EASY FIX: Simon Cowell insists the show is not in crisis despite falling ratings

Despite ratings falling to as low as seven million, Simon also laughed off reports the ITV singing contest was in crisis.

But he did admit the fate of hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs and judge Nick Grimshaw would be in the public’s hands.

Fans claimed Simon could be heard telling his fellow judges to save contestant Che Chesterman during a sing-off with his own act Anton Stephans.

ITV

PUBLIC TRIAL: Viewers will decide the futures of Caroline Flak and Olly Murs

Viewers also accused the show of rigging the public vote when Olly accidentally announced Monica Michael was axed before being handed the results. But Simon, 56, said: “The show isn’t fixed and I certainly didn’t tell the other judges who to save.

“The show isn’t fixed and I certainly didn’t tell the other judges who to save”

Judge Simon Cowell

“I can categorically say we don’t do that. We don’t know who will be at the bottom.

“The whole point with the singoff is whoever does best on the night deserves to go through… end of. And there’s no influence, no one knows the result.

“I felt bad for Olly but that’s live TV, that happens.”

ITV

LAUGH IT OFF: Cowell denied suggestions he told other judges who to save

Rival show Strictly has also been hit by fix claims after it was suggested the judges watch rehearsals to compare scores.

Simon said: “I can’t comment on Strictly because I don’t know how the show works.

“We don’t watch dress rehearsals.”

Simon remained defiant last night after his home in west London was burgled while he and his family slept inside.

Olly Murs quits X Factor after Caroline Flack is axed

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Corbis

Caroline Flack and Olly Murs at the X Factor press day in 2015

Thieves took cash and jewellery from his Holland Park property in the early hours of Friday. His girlfriend Lauren Silverman and 19-month-old son Eric were also home at the time.

Major changes to this year’s X Factor format have failed to stop ratings falling. But Simon denied it is in danger of the axe, saying: “The show still gets over ten million with catch-up and repeats. I don’t think that’s a crisis. “People still talk about it, they still vote, they still buy the records. I’m not going to say everything is perfect but you know what I’m like, I never give up."

GETTY

ROBBED: The X Factor judge's home was broken into while his family slept inside

Newly-hired Olly, Caroline and Nick have also received mixed reactions from fans. And Simon said their future could be in the public’s hands.

He added: “I am starting to warm to Caroline and Olly much more now. Nick’s definitely got more popular on the live shows than in the auditions.

“I don’t know if there would be scope for Dermot or Louis to come back but when I go through the research we have to listen to what people liked and take it into account.

“We will make changes next year. I won’t make decisions on my own, I will listen to the fans of the show.”